New Patriot Austin Collie eager to bolster receiving corps

Saturday

Oct 5, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Jennifer Toland, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Austin Collie hasn't played in an NFL regular-season game in more than a year, so he's ready to get back on the field, but whether the Patriots' new wide receiver is ready to play in Sunday's game at Cincinnati after just two practices will be up to coach Bill Belichick.

"We'll see where he is and see where we're at Saturday and make a decision," Belichick said Friday.

The Patriots signed the 27-year-old Collie Thursday to bolster their banged-up receiving corps. In addition to Danny Amendola (groin) and Matthew Slater (wrist), rookies Kenbrell Thompkins (shoulder) and Aaron Dobson (neck) were on the injury report this week.

"It's definitely a unique feel here," Collie said after Friday's practice. "It's a great group of guys and great camaraderie in the locker room. It's a great place to be."

Collie played the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Last year, he missed all but one game due to a ruptured patellar tendon and he has a history of concussions, which he declined to discuss.

From 2009-11, Collie had 172 receptions for 1,839 yards and 16 touchdowns.

"He seems like a pretty smart guy," Belichick said, "so I think probably what we're doing are things he's done before, just had different ways of calling it or terminology or that type of thing."

Belichick noted Collie's versatility — he has played both inside and outside.

Collie was cut by the San Francisco 49ers at the end of training camp. He worked out for the Patriots in June.

Collie caught balls from Peyton Manning for two seasons in Indianapolis. He sounds eager to be on the receiving end of passes from his new quarterback, Tom Brady.

"This is a great system that's proven itself year in and year out," Collie said. "I love being in it. There are a lot of balls to be caught. I can't wait to learn more about it. I can't wait to get that chemistry down with No. 12 and be part of this offense."

Ridley out Sunday

Running back Stevan Ridley, who did not practice all week, has been ruled out for Sunday's game.

Ridley apparently suffered a knee injury at some point in last week's game against the Falcons. He carried 11 times for 53 yards.

The release of rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld on Thursday seemed to be an indicator that Rob Gronkowski could be making his 2013 debut Sunday, but the NFL Network reported Friday that Gronkowski was a "long shot" to play this week. The Jets, meanwhile, claimed Sudfeld off waivers Friday.

Gronkowski continued to be a limited participant in Friday's practice, and his official status for Sunday is questionable.

Reports last week suggested Gronkowski and the team were at odds over his return date — the Gronk camp playing it more conservative — but Gronkowski dismissed that notion early this week, saying he and the Patriots have been "on the same page from the get-go," and that he was getting stronger every week.

Amendola, Thompkins and Dobson are among the other nine Patriots who are questionable. For the first time since Sept. 12, Slater was on the practice field as a limited participant. He is doubtful.

High marks for Atkins

Belichick compared Bengals fourth-year defensive tackle Geno Atkins to John Randle, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who spent most of his 14-year career with the Vikings.

"But I'd say more powerful," Belichick said. "This guy has some power rushes where he just takes linemen back, those guards back, and it just looks like they're on roller skates.

"He just walks them, literally, right back into the quarterback. He's very quick. He can get the edge and work up, or up and under on the guards. He can ruin a game. There's no question the guy can ruin a game by himself."

The 6-foot-1, 303-pound Atkins led all interior linemen with 12½ sacks last season and earned his first All-Pro selection. He helped the Bengals set a franchise record with 51 sacks.

With linemen Michael Johnson, Domata Peko and Carlos Dunlap and linebackers James Harrison, Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict making up the rest of Cincinnati's formidable front seven, the Bengals present one of the most difficult preparation challenges of the year, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said.

"You have to do a good job of, first of all, taking care of the line of scrimmage against this team," McDaniels said. "This is a really disruptive front. They do a good job of creating negative plays in the running game, penetrating and getting in the backfield."

Atkins was a fourth-round pick out of Georgia in 2010 and moved into the starting lineup the next year.

The Patriots have to move on without Vince Wilfork, and veteran Tommy Kelly, who spent the first three-plus games next to Wilfork, is confident rookies Joe Vellano and Chris Jones can get the job done.

Vellano and Jones assumed Wilfork's snaps after he tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of the Falcons game.

"I expect Joe to go out there and do what he do," Kelly said, "and I expect Chris to go out there and do what he do. It's just going to be a little harder without Vince, the experience he has, the knowledge, the way he's able to pick out what an offense is going to do. I gotta step up my film study, Joe gotta step up his film study, Chris — everybody."

Kelly is keeping his advice for his young teammates simple.

"I'm just gonna tell them to play their game, play hard and low," Kelly said. "Just play with fundamentals. Play hard. You'll be fine."

Cole released again

For the second time in a week, the Patriots released cornerback Marquice Cole.

Cole, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, was released Sept. 27 after playing on special teams the first three games of the season. He was re-signed Tuesday.

Cole's release leaves the Patriots with two open roster spots.

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